Murray wins in 37 minutes

Andy Murray fired a warning to his Australian Open rivals after his "double bagel" win. Source: Kamran Jebreili / AP

HAD this been baseball, the mercy rule would have been invoked as tennis statisticians were left to trawl through the gruesome wreckage of Andy Murray's withering return to the ATP Tour.

Clinical to the point of disinterest in a hopelessly lopsided mismatch, Murray took a mere 37 minutes (and 24 seconds) to pummel Qatari willdcard Mousa Zayed 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round of the Qatar ExxonMobile Open.

Ranked 2099th in the world, Zayed had no chance, claiming only 17 points to the Wimbledon champion's 48.

Thrust into a match he would not have won with an 11-game handicap, Zousa trudged from the court to the lone solace of a $US10,500 loser's cheque.

As brief as it was, Murray's shellacking was not the fastest in ATP Tour history.

That honour rests with fellow Briton Greg Rusedski, who trounced Carsten Arriens 6-0 6-0 in 29 minutes in Sydney in 1996.

Contesting a singles match for the first time since undergoing back surgery, Murray had not played competitively since October.

Unsurprisingly, the Scot headed straight to the practice court after dismissing Zayed.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Slight improvements' for Schu

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SEVEN-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has undergone further surgery to relieve pressure on his brain as he continues to fight for his life after a skiing accident in the French Alps.

Doctors last night revealed they saw a "surgical window of opportunity" to carry out a second, two-hour operation to remove blood clots after a brain scan revealed a slight improvement in the 44-year-old's condition.

But the medical team say the retired motor ace remains in a "fragile" critical condition.

"The situation is more under control than yesterday but we cannot say that he is out of danger," head anaesthetician Jean-Francois Payen said at CHU Grenoble Hospital.

"We have won some time but we must continue an hour-by-hour surveillance."

Doctors were very pleased there had been no worsening of Schumacher's condition and he was showing "very slight" improvements, but they said they cannot say what will happen in coming days and the situation was still touch and go.

The second operation had its risks but the family gave their permission prior to the operation taking place at 10pm local time.

The F1 legend remained in an induced coma and in a state of hypothermia to give him the best chance to recover from the serious head trauma. Professor Emmanuel Gay, one of the specialists treating Schumacher said the German was not out of danger and he was still haemorrhaging in the brain.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IN PICTURES: SCHUMACHER'S LEGENDARY CAREER

"We cannot say that we have won because there are still some highs and some lows, but it's better than yesterday," he said. "He is still in a very critical condition, this has not changed. And we still cannot tell how he will be, which state he will be in when he does wake up. We cannot speculate on the future because once again it would be too early to do so."

Brain scans had shown intercranial haematoma (internal bleeding), cerebral contusions (brain tissue bruising) and oedema (fluid build up).

Further operations have not been ruled out but "strategies" would be considered over the next 48 hours.

"There are still many haematomas in the brain, with little bits everywhere," Professor Gay said. "That is what makes the situation critical and it needs to be looked at hour by hour, day by day. The situation can still evolve, but we won't be able to evacuate the other haematomas at the moment because they are not accessible. They are not as big as the one we removed yesterday."

The update on Schumacher's condition came amid revelations he may have been travelling up to 96km/h when he went between two marked ski runs and hit a rocky outcrop. Witnesses said the helmet he was wearing split in two and was full of blood.

Aerial images of the run clearly show the two ski runs with barely 50m between them. There is speculation Schumacher may have been travelling too fast to switch between the two runs and accidentally went off-piste.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

There has been huge global interest in the accident; more than 100 media were yesterday at the hospital waiting for word and broadcasting live updates around the world.

Schumacher, who turns 45 on Friday, was skiing with his 14-year-old son Mick when the accident happened just after 11am on Sunday.

Doctors said the helmet had given him a fighting chance but his head still suffered a very violent shock.

RISK-TAKER: LOVE OF SPEED HAUNTS SCHUMACHER

He was flown from the Meribel resort in the Trois Vallees ski area within eight minutes of the accident, before being transferred to the nearby city of Grenoble for specialist treatment.

Fans have gathered outside the hospital, including some who have made the more than four-hour drive from Germany to be close to their hero.

Schumacher's wife Corinna, his 16-year-old daughter Gina-Marie and son Mick remained at his bedside overnight.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"We would like to thank the medical team who we know do everything possible to help Michael," the Schumacher family said yesterday in a written statement.

"We would like to also thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for Michael's recovery."

MEDICOS say the next day or so will determine the future of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, including if emergency surgery has saved his life and or if he has suffered any long-term damage.

Schumacher is being watched around the clock by doctors and his family who have maintained a bedside vigilas he continues to fight for his life. following a skiing accident.

The 44-year-old German remains in an induced coma in a critical condition after he suffered internal bleeding and severe bruising to the brain when his head struck a rock during a high-speed off-piste ski run in the French Alps.

Doctors declined to say Schumacher was in a stable condition overnight, rather that he was still in a critical condition and being kept in a coma and in a state of hypothermia to give him the best chance to recover from the serious head trauma.

Professor Stephen Chabardes, the neurosurgeon who operated on the star, said all recommended treatments were being performed and he was being watched hour-by-hour. He said brain scans had shown intercranial haematoma (internal bleeding), cerebral contusions (brain tissue bruising and oedema (fluid build-up).

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

FANS, RIVALS SHOW SUPPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

"We operated urgently to try to eliminate the (bleeding) haematoma and after the operation we saw that we had been able to eliminate these but also sadly the appearance of various bilateral lesions," he said.

Anaesthetist Jean-Francois Payen said: "We are working day and night at his bedside; it is too early to say anything as far as prognosis is concerned."

And neurologist Jean-Luc Truelle said it would take time for a better indication of the potential lasting damage.

The German, 45 on Friday, was skiing with son Mick, 14, off-piste when he fell and hit a rock, striking his head.

Doctors said Schumacher's helmet had given him a fighting chance but his head still suffered a very violent shock.

Witnesses, who called emergency services,confirmed he had been wearing a helmet but had been knocked unconscious and they saw blood coming from under the damaged helmet, marking the snow about him.

A Ferrari fan waits in front of the emergency department of the Grenoble hospital where Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury.

Paramedics flew to the Trois Vallees ski area within eight minutes of the accident and had him back to a local hospital before he was transferred to the nearby city of Grenoble for specialist treatment.

SIX OF THE BEST SCHUMACHER FORMULA 1 DRIVES

Outside the hospital, Schumacher's fans have gathered - including some who drove more than four hours from Germany to be close to their hero. There are also more than a dozen television live broadcast vans parked in front of the hospital, broadcasting the latest news around the world.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was shocked "along with millions of Germans" by the accident to the F1 legend."We listened to the doctors earlier as they described the situation as extraordinarily serious," her spokesman Steffen Seibert said. "We hope, along with Michael Schumacher and his family, that his injuries will heal and he will recover. We wish his wife, his children and the rest of his family strength and mutual support."

Schumacher who lives in Switzerland was on a private trip staying locally at his chalet when the accident happened at the Meribel ski resort.

In a bizarre incident, the Guardian has reported that a journalist dressed as a priest in an attempt to gain access to Schumacher's hospital room.

"I wouldn't have ever imagined something like this could happen," Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, was quoted as telling a journalist.

Michael Schumacher's friend and surgeon Professor Gerard Saillant at a press conference about the F1 legend's condition in Grenoble.

After the ruse was discovered the man was was purportedly escorted off the hospital's premises.

Schumacher is a towering figure in the motor industry and considered the greatest F1 driver ever. He retired from F1 for the final time in 2012 after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.

The race ace, who also drove for Jordan, Benetton and Ferrari, won the last of his world titles in 2004. He won two with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before moving to Ferrari and winning five in a row from 2000. The German has 91 career race wins.

Schumacher is considered the first ever self-made billionaire sports star.

Jean Marc Grenier, the deputy director of the hospital, speaks to the press.

Michael Schumacher pictures while announcing his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2012 season.

A file photo shows Michael Schumacher skiing in the Italian Alps in 2006. Schumacher is in a critical condition after hitting his head in a fall while skiing.

A file pitcure of Michael Schumacher from his Ferrari days, Schumacher is in a critical condition after hitting his head in a fall while skiing.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Late start the best gift: Jankovic

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE Brisbane International is a very popular tournament with players and fans alike. But there is one change that would make it even better.

To have started the tournament one week later, and have the Australian Open finish a week later, would allow the players to have Christmas with family and friends.

Australians tell me the dates as they are allow fans, volunteers and ballkids to be involved through all the tournaments, as school holidays end when the Australian Open is over.

All these things have been taken in consideration to make everyone happy.

The circuit starts at different dates in different years within a week-long span. Next time the Brisbane tournament starts on January 4 but there are December starts in some circuits.

I made the choice to come to Queensland with my team a few days before Christmas to acclimatise to the heat and practice on the courts here.

How can you celebrate when you have to get some sleep for your match? Sleep is very important when you are playing at this level in this heat.

I was fortunate enough to have Christmas dinner at the home of people from Brisbane who befriended me many years ago and I really appreciate them looking after myself and my team.

The family met me at the Auckland tournament then moved to Brisbane.

They sometimes have gone to Melbourne to watch the Australian Open and support me at my matches. They certainly love their tennis.

Even though Australia is so far from home for me, I kind of feel an atmosphere like I am home, because the people are so nice to the players.

These are our first matches of the season and it takes a while to get used to everything again after the off-season break.

I was a little nervous against Francesca Schiavone on Monday and especially glad to win in two sets as she is a tricky opponent. I lost to her two years ago in Brisbane.

Both times I have been on show court 1, which is a nice court for the spectators. It was really packed, people waiting in line to find a seat or just have a look. I like the atmosphere of playing close to the fans.

I didn't know much about my second round opponent Elina Svitolina, but at 19 she is already in the top 50 and is going to be a good player, no doubt.

Each match in Australia, I hope to lift my level of play and do well at the Australian Open.

There are so many things I would like to have as New Year's resolutions. Eat less chocolate, for one thing. I have a sweet tooth.

I have so much energy and when I finish my tennis commitments I want to do other things. I need to get better this year at saving my energy and make sure I get some rest.

As well, I'd love to spend more time with my family and friends, which is very difficult to do in my job.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Federer primed for Nieminen

Roger Federer of Switzerland prepares to return serve in his doubles match during day three of the 2014 Brisbane International. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

ROGER Federer has declared himself primed and ready for tonight's New Year's tennis feast after an entertaining doubles win on Pat Rafter Arena yesterday.

Federer will play his first singles match in Queensland tonight against good friend Jarkko Nieminen. He gave fans a teaser of the brilliance to come with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win with Nicolas Mahut against top seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.

The Fed Express is the biggest show in town and after days of appearances, interviews and autographs the 17-times Grand Slam winner finally stepped on court.

Greeted by an enormous roar, plus someone ringing a cow bell, the Swiss star delivered a superb 93-minute performance that left the crowd wanting more and Mahut slightly relieved.

The Frenchman had earlier won his own singles match, but when he left the hotel this morning his wife's only message was a reminder not to mess up playing with Federer.

Roger Federer in action during his doubles match with Nicolas Mahut against Jen-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau at the Brisbane International Tennis. Pic Darren England. Source: News Limited

Ever the gentleman, Federer gave Mahut the credit post game.

"I really enjoyed myself out here. Thanks to Nicolas for playing with me and carrying me at the end," Federer said.

"It has been a pleasure coming out here for the first time on Pat Rafter Arena and I hope to see some of you guys tomorrow."

Federer made a few errors but in the moments that mattered, he was the one who saved a crucial set point in the opening set.

"I'm happy with how my body is feeling and mentally I'm really eager to come out and start my singles campaign," he said.

It was a gathering of tennis royalty at Tennyson yesterday.

Federer had entered the court just 10 minutes after 17-times Grand Slam winner Serena Williams completed her victory and both were watched by Australian tennis great Rod Laver.

No doubt they will cross paths again in Brisbane in the coming days

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victory is 'title-winning material'

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

MELBOURNE Victory claim they've got the character of A-League champions, while John Aloisi pays the price. Read our Round 12 A-League review.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

VICTORY FLEX MUSCLES

Fresh from seeing his side fight back to force a draw with powerhouses Western Sydney Wanderers, Kosta Barbarouses says Melbourne Victory has the self-belief to win the A-League championship this season.

The attacker was asked on Sunday Shootout whether he could repeat his exploits of 2010-2011, where won the A-League title with Brisbane Roar.

"Earlier in the season we were 2-0 down against Adelaide United and we came back. This week we showed the same," he said.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"That's Championship winning material. We have shown we never give up."

Shootout host and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich was impressed with what he saw from Kevin Muscat's men at AAMI Park, but said the rookie coach could get even more out of his side with more adventurous tactics.

"Victory normally play with wingers on their opposite sides, Barbarouses on the left and Connor Pain on the right," he said.

"You know they're going to cut in. Wanderers knew and they stifled them well.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"Kevin Muscat needed to swap it over earlier, he did eventually but perhaps he missed a trick."

Fellow shootout host Craig Moore reserved his place for the Wanderers, who still picked up a point, despite missing attacking weapons Tomi Juric and Shinji Ono, and having Yousouff Hersi come off the bench.

"Wanderers are in a really good position, and to achieve what they did without those three was a great result," he said.

"Victory do play a fantastic brand of football and we saw two teams who know what they want to achieve this season."

HEART TRANSPLANT

Melbourne Heart's 1-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix on Friday night was the final straw for the club's board, sacking coach John Aloisi less than 24 hours later.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Moore said the decision didn't surprise him, but there are worrying signs moving forward for the club.

"We're in a results business. John Aloisi understands how it operates and won't want people to be sorry for him," Moore said.

"The concern going forward for supporters is what is the future of the club.

"What is going to change? Something has to change."

HOW ALOISI BROUGHT UPON HIS OWN DOWNFALL

HEARTBREAK ALMOST AN ACT OF MERCY

SOONER HEART SELL, THE BETTER

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Bosnich admitted the Heart were in turmoil, but hoped good would come of the situation.

"Right now, right here, that (sacking Aloisi) was the most decisive action we've seen from their board for some time. 17 games, they didn't have a choice," Bosnich said.

"They've lost their way and they need to get back on track. They're losing fans by the second. They need to steady the ship.

"They said they still want to make the finals. That's ambitious and that's a good thing. The players have to bear respobnsilbity and start winning now."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Frank Farina will tell you differently, but Brisbane Roar's dismantling of Sydney FC on Thursday night sent out an emphatic message to their title rivals and re-inforced that Mike Mulvey's side are the competition favourites.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Roar played with flair and showed great composure to come from a goal down to hammer the Sky Blues 5-1, a defeat made more bitter with former Sydney FC star Dimitri Petratos scoring a hat-trick against his old club.

The signs are worrying for a Sky Blues outfit who until recently had been cruising. The average age of their starting XI was more than 30, the oldest side they've ever fielded. For the Roar, it's onwards and upwards.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers put on a Saturday night show at a rocking AAMI Park. It was billed as the match of round 12, and it didn't disappoint, Gui Finkler's late strike a fitting way to conclude any match.

Kosta Barboruses was closest to the action, and he enjoyed the spectacle.

"It was a great match to be a part of and just a really good game of football," he told Sunday Shootout.

"You saw two teams with good structures. It had a bit of everything."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

INCIDENT OF THE WEEK

Josep Gomabu lit the fuse ahead of Adelaide United's clash with Newcastle - bringing to light his opponents physical style - and it appeared the Jets players were only too happy to stoke the flames.

Referee Chris Beath dished out seven yellow cards as the challenges came flying in from all directions in a spicy affair at Coopers Stadium, with Marcelo Carrusca receiving special attention from the Jets.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"We need to protect the players we need to protect the football people,'' Gombau fumed after seeing his playmaker hobble off injured.

Injuries aside, the Reds are on the way up, rising to seventh with their latest win.

"They're building nicely. They're starting to become familiar with the style that's expected of them," Bosnich said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Not fair, he's good at everything

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

CRICKET Confidential takes a different view of the fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, as Australia romped to victory.

HE REALLY IS SUPER MITCH

"He bowls to the left, he bowls to the righ-ight. Mitchell Johnson. His bowling is shite."

This song went to number one with a bullet when the Barmy Army first conceived it back when, well, Johnson's bowling was about as threatening as a water pistol.

And it hurt the sensitive new age guy. It really hurt.

So oh, what joy the moustachioed speed demon must be feeling to finally be feared, and secretly adored by the same England fans, players, and commentators who once derided him.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Johnson picked up his third man of the match award from four Tests in Melbourne, on the same day that Cricket Australia released GPS figures to reveal the athletic left-armer was running the equivalent of a half marathon on each day of the Ashes series.

So let's get this straight. He's just about taken more wickets than the whole England team combined, he's scored more runs than George Bailey, he hasn't dropped a catch and he's got the only direct hit run out of the series. And he runs half marathons.

To top it off, he loves giving it to Kevin Pietersen and he's humble - attempting to convince the media after the Boxing Day Test that century-maker Chris Rogers was more deserving of the man of the match award.

Who knows, if he was playing for England instead of Australia, they might just have won a game this series.

TWEETS OF THE DAY

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Perhaps in defeat, some humility - Kevin Pietersen posing for a pic with a fan. Pic: Ryan Pierse Source: Getty Images

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heartbreak almost an act of mercy

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IN his long and itinerant playing career, John Aloisi saw a lot of coaches come and go. Now, 18 months after his first steps into senior coaching, he knows how they feel.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Less than half way through the season, four of the league's 10 coaches have departed - two out of choice, two sacked. If the former went on to better things - Ange Postecoglou to the Socceroos and Graham Arnold to the J-League - then the two axed, Aloisi and Alistair Edwards at Perth, went kicking and screaming.

HEART SACK ALOISI AFTER 16 WINLESS GAMES

HOW ALOISI GOT THE JOB AHEAD OF ANTE MILICIC

In a salary-capped league, you could argue that the ability of a coach to organise and improve his players is paramount, and the quality most highlighted. Arnold and Tony Popovic have built reputations by taking average players and squeezing every last drop of talent out of them thanks to highly effective coaching.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But most of all it is results that count, and as with every league around the world, coaches who don't deliver find themselves in the firing line.

At Sydney FC, three defeats in four games had supporters and media almost expecting Frank Farina's defenestration. While never under any threat, Popovic found himself earlier this season fending off accusations of a slump after his team didn't win for three games.

Heart did their best not to act in haste, and those close to the club's decision makers say they put off and put off the execution in the hope that things would turn, until in the end it was almost an act of mercy.

• TOTAL: Played 39, Won 8, Drawn 7, Lost 24 - Scored 40, Conceded 62.
• 2012/13 - Played 27, Won 8, Drawn 3, Lost 16 - Scored 31, Conceded 40 - 27 points - 9th place.
• 2013/14 - Played 12, Won 0, Drawn 4, Lost 8 - Scored 9, Conceded 22 - 4 points - 10th place.
• Worst record of any A-League club during his tenure.
• Aloisi's tenure ended with 17 games without a win and one clean sheet in 19 games.

For in the end, in the A-League as much as anywhere, it's the line of least resistance to get rid of the coach. Unless a player is seen as a particularly divisive figure, they will be safe until the end of their contract.

In that light it takes a brave coach to commit to playing an open and stylish brand of football. Mike Mulvey is continuing the tradition of attacking that Farina and then Postecoglou implemented at Brisbane, and Ernie Merrick is trying hard to fashion a silk purse from a sow's ear at Wellington.

But it's always with the knowledge that with just 10 top-flight jobs in the country, there will always be a line of candidates willing to step into the role. That's what makes coaching in the A-League both the pinnacle of the profession and the loneliest job in the world.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Melbourne a long way from Mohali

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

AS Shane Watson and Michael Clarke embraced in the centre of the MCG on Sunday it highlighted just how far Melbourne is from Mohali.

The celebration that took place between the captain and his former deputy is a world away from the divisive homework scandal in India nine months ago which prompted Watson to consider his future and cost him the vice-captaincy.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

On Sunday he swatted a ball from Monty Panesar to the square leg boundary, raising the bat and free arm in triumph as Australia claimed an eight-wicket win in the fourth Test.

A new high for Australian cricket as the Ashes lead stretched to 4-0 continues to wipe away the memories from one of the most bizarre and painful moments in the sport, when Watson and three others were suspended for failing to complete a simple assignment.

This is the team that lost all four Tests on that Indian tour, suspended David Warner for hitting England's Joe Root in a bar, bombed out in the Champions Trophy, had its coach sacked 18-days before the Ashes began in England then lost that series 3-0.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Now Australia is just one Test win away from joining the elite. Ricky Ponting's star-studded 2006-07 team and Warwick Armstrong's in 1920-21 are the only other sides to clean sweep an Ashes series 5-0.

It is fitting that Clarke was batting on Sunday when the winning runs were scored given the depths he and new coach Darren Lehmann have dragged this team back from.

Victory at the MCG has reinforced the most remarkable turnaround in history.

No Australian team has ever played so badly and so well in the same year.

The possibility of 5-0 in Sydney next week is extraordinary given that Australia has just dug itself out of the worst run since the nadir of the mid 80s, going nine Tests in a row without a victory.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

As Australia rapidly ran down what could have been a tricky target of 231 Clarke received his own special round of sustained applause after cutting Ben Stokes to the boundary, bringing up 8000 Test runs.

He becomes just the sixth Australian to achieve the feat and will soon move into fifth on the list of Australia's all-time run makers, going past Mark Waugh's 8029.

The warm applause Clarke received on his arrival at the wicket and again for achieving his significant milestone shows how much the Australian captain has been embraced by the public.

He still talks about being booed earlier in his career.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Australia's Achilles heel during its poor period earlier in the year was its batting yet such has the domination been in this series the home side has the top four run-scorers.

As for England, the barometer of a team is its fielding and the visitors were terrible on Sunday.

Three chances went down, with stand-in wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow responsible for two of them.

The most costly was an edge from century maker Chris Rogers when he was just 19 which Bairstow did not even go for as it sailed away to the boundary.

Who would have thought that four months after winning the Ashes so convincingly, England would unravel so completely.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mild upstages wild on Lyon's day

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

MITCHELL Johnson is the man who can do everything - and for sheer gladatorial excitement, his duel with Kevin Pietersen late Saturday had the MCG rocking, as only one of the world's greatest sports stadiums can.

But the evil-eyed enforcer was upstaged by the unfashionable, mild-mannered Nathan Lyon - and guess what, another huge crowd probably enjoyed that even more.

If they weren't already doing that, they changed their mind when the smiling off-spinner had England's most controversial cricketer caught in the deep late in the last session, Lyon's 100th Test wicket.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The crowd of 63,864, which included his family, gave him a rousing ovation when he performed the now ritual gesture of holding up the ball to mark the five-for - and what was probably the decisive wicket of the match.

For any number of reasons, it was a magical moment in what has developed into one of the most interesting - riveting, in fact - Boxing Day Tests in recent memory, the best since England won by 12 runs three tours ago.

And it hasn't been decided yet.

It will be Sunday, with Australia needing 201 with all 10 wickets intact to make it 4-0.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Given they only managed 204 in the first innings, and the way the match has twisted and turned over the first three days, that's not a doddle, and England wicketkeeper, Johnny Bairstow, insisted on Saturday night that they were confident of turning it around.

But the tourists might be whistling in the dark.

Their' morale won't be helped by the certain knowledge that they surrendered the high ground not once, not twice but three times on Saturday.

They allowed Brad Haddin and Lyon to add 40 for the last wicket - crucial runs in such a low-scoring contest - and then lost 3-1 and 5-6 in embarrassing collapses themselves, bowled out for 179 in just 61 overs.

They squandered a potentially dominating position when they led by 116 with all wickets intact and for their long suffering fans it was beyond disappointing - again.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Lyon was a big part of both implosions and history is going to record that he has played a bigger part in this summer-long triumph than anyone - himself included, perhaps - would have expected, given he has been dropped from the team twice this year.

He has now taken 16 wickets, more than anyone except the all-conquering Johnson's 31, and it's not just the number but the names - Bell for a first ball duck, Stokes and Pietersen among them on Saturday.

He has become a great story and will remain one whatever happens in the rest of his career, which began in spectacular fashion with a haul of 5-34 on debut against Sri Lanka just over two years ago.

Now, in his 29th match, he has become only the sixth Australian off-spinner to take 100 wickets behind Hugh Trumble's 141 - well over a century ago - Ashley Mallett's 132, Bruce Yardley's 126, former captain Ian Johnson's 109 and, also well over a century ago, George Giffen's 103.

Three years ago he was helping prepare Test wickets in Adelaide, not bowling on them, so it has been a remarkable journey.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"It seemed a long way away when I started but no-one can take it away from me now," he said.

"It's amazing."

Johnson captivated the crowd, as he had done in the first innings and everywhere else he has been this summer, when he launched the fightback by disposing of England captain Alistair Cook just as he was threatening to take control and put the match out of reach.

Then he threw down the stumps to run out Joe Root and held a good catch to dismiss Bell in quick succession, before challenging Pietersen to a ferocious battle after the tea-break, each man knowing the result of the match might largely hinge on who came out on top.

Johnson was infuriated when Pietersen pulled away during his run-up, saying a child on the boundary was distracting him, and threw the ball towards the slips instead of bowling it.

The pair exchanged plenty of angry words with unpire Kumar Dharmasena forced to order them to cool it.

It might have been ugly but the crowd was loving it.

The running total for the three days is now 233,302, while Channel 9 said 2.6 million watched Friday's play.

If you haven't beern part of it, either on the spot or on the counch, don't miss it on Saturday - it might yet be a thriller.

ron.reed@news.com.au

Twitter: @Reedrw

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Injuries the downside of stability

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THIS is the downside of stability. Ryan Harris has bowled himself to a standstill and Shane Watson is moving like a bullock dray.

Naming the same side in four successive Tests for the first time in almost a decade has given Australia an unexpected look of certainty and confidence levels have gone through the roof with each emphatic victory.

But the last Test in Sydney is a bridge too far.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Five Tests in six weeks is an enormous ask, particularly for the bowlers, and this side cannot remain intact.

The plan has always been to rest Ryan Harris in Sydney next week following just a three-day turnaround from Melbourne and Saturday produced ample evidence why.

The limp from his dodgy knee has become more pronounced with each passing day and his pace has dropped off a little.

If Harris was to try and play at the SCG next week he would need the postman's motorbike.

On the opening day England managed just two scoring shots off Harris in his eight overs to lunch, and one of them was an edge.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

On Saturday the first three deliveries in England's second innings were all picked off for runs.

Carrying an obvious groin problem, Watson's few overs on Saturday were delivered at Shane Warne flipper pace and the all-rounder was a liability in the field.

There is simply no way Watson can play in Sydney either if he's going to move like that.

How many changes the selectors make and who fills those spots will be intriguing, with the heavy duty tour of South Africa little more than a month away.

If a common sense approach is taken at the selection table now the Ashes have been well and truly won, Harris and Watson should be put on ice until then, lest they do any more damage to their battered bodies.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The first inclusion should be this summer's permanent 12th man, bowling all-rounder James Faulkner.

Whether he comes in as a straight swap for Harris or the selectors push Brad Haddin to six and include Faulkner as the all-rounder at seven will be a matter of some debate.

In his only Test, at The Oval last August, Faulkner played as the all-rounder with four specialist bowlers during a typically feisty debut.

That would mean dropping George Bailey, who is the least performed of Australia's batsmen this summer and needs something special in Australia's second innings to be sure of holding his place.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Given stability has been such a key to Australia's success this summer the selectors will be keen to keep changes to a minimum but it is also a chance to look at players ahead of South Africa.

With Watson likely to be missing Australia will need a new number three and the obvious candidate is Alex Doolan, although his form tapered off after a strong start for Tasmania this season.

And he hasn't played red ball cricket for three weeks because of the Sheffield Shield hiatus that makes room for the Big Bash.

Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile have been on standby for the past two Tests, with Coulter-Nile inching towards a Test debut.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More